Brian’s Blog was created for all of his friends, family, fans, and community members who are cheering him on in his fight against leukemia. Brian graduated from HHS in May of this year. Many people know Brian due to his leadership, sportsmanship, and outstanding athletic achievements including three state championships in wrestling, a state football championship, state discus champion 2011 and varsity track and soccer teams. He had received a call to serve a full-time mission to Uruguay and was planning to start his mission at the end of the month. After completing his mission to Uruguay, Brian planned to play football at SUU where he has already received a full-ride scholarship. Brian was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on Tuesday October 2nd. That very day he was taken to Salt Lake City for intensive inpatient care. He has been receiving chemotherapy, blood transfusions, and other treatments. We hope and pray that Brian will recover with the help of competent medical care. Doctors say that there is an 80% chance that Brian’s cancer will respond favorably to treatment. Thank you so much for your support. We will keep you updated regularly on Brian’s progress.

Update: On January 14, 2014, Brian passed away after a 15 1/2 month battle with leukemia. He was in remission following the first series of chemotherapy treatments for only 3 months, in spite of earlier optimism. Another harder hitting chemotherapy began in June with the intention of following with a bone marrow transplant but instead, alternative treatments in Colorado Springs and later Atlanta were chosen. Those also were unsuccessful, too little too late. In November he underwent yet more chemotherapy in Denver. The leukemia did not respond. Brian returned home to Southern Utah friends and family on December 12, 2013. Leukemia took his mortal life, but it can't touch his spirit.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

October 30, 2012
Having shared our excitement about a break from the hospital, I have to add something. As much as we love our friends, we have to request NO VISITORS. It's dangerous, and we want him to get well and avoid the trauma that an illness under these conditions would bring. THANK YOU!

New doctor, actually a senior doctor from the group of hematologists/oncologists who are responsible for Brian's care, Dr. Lemmons, came in today with Fellow - Dr.Maese and said Brian can go home for a few days because the counts are coming up...so we will head down tomorrow. He's still very much without immunity, so will have serious restrictions as far as visitors- like at the hospital- but at least he will get a break before the next round of chemo. He will be at home, except he could take his truck for a spin...:), which I know he would like the freedom to do. We will have home health checking on him. I will be the protective paranoid mama, (and rightly so). We have to return to SLC on the 8th, then he'll be re-admitted on the 12th for a proceedure to put in a new central line and probably start the chemo right after that, depending on the counts. So I am excited as well to be home and see the family too. Sure glad the weather is good for this.

Monday, October 29, 2012

October 29, 2012
Brian is doing well today. The counts are showing signs of coming up this morning, so that is good news! Maybe they will get there by next week. Platelets are much improved. :) Not much else to report today. Thanks for checking in friends! Have a wonderful day.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

October 27, 2012
Today was another beautiful autumn day in Salt Lake. Brian has had some close friends and family drop by and some good times the last couple days. I think he is a bit tired after it all as he is now having a early evening nap. He has been feeling well and in good spirits, gaining a little weight back, even getting workouts in his room with physical therapy. They work him pretty well. Still waiting for the counts to come up, but that's OK. We can deal with this. Kind of funny...from his room we can see the lights and giant video screen tonight at Rice-Eccles Stadium (University of Utah), where the "U" is playing California It was just a year ago, in a couple weeks, that we came up here to watch Brian and the HHS Tigers play Spanish Fork in the state football championship semi-finals, and again the next game for the championship. That stadium holds a lot of big memories for our family, starting back in 2005. I think about those times every time I drive by... special memories.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Brian continues to be blessed with good health while waiting for his counts to come up. He is in excellent spirits and making friends with all the great nurses, techs and doctors. The food here is pretty good actually and Brian is gaining some of the weight back that he lost on chemo. Today he weighed 195lbs., and he ate a lot! Just to maintain they said he needs about 3,000 calories. We want to get him back up before the next round of chemo.
I have met a few of moms here and visit with them from time to time. All so far have or have had worse situations than we have, which is even more humbling.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

October 23, 2012

Today was another good day for Brian. In fact, so was yesterday. Brian is feeling well, eating well -everything is presently good. We hope and pray this will continue, and that he will be able to stay healthy! This is a good place to be, and they're taking good care of Brian.

I heard that the Dance Concert last night at HHS was fabulous! I wish we could have seen it! Thank you to Jennifer Turnbow and all the wonderful people who did that for Brian, and for all those who came to support this. The fundraiser at Lin's Market was another huge undertaking, so many worked hard and supported it as well. We continue to be the recipients of support and love from friends and people we don't even know, and it's just amazing and humbling. Thank you so much to each one of you. You not only help take some of the load off, but you are lifting us also!

Sunday, October 21, 2012

October 21, 2012
Tonight I am thankful for all of the blessings we have received on this journey. Brian had another good day, and now has his hair buzzed off and is adjusting well to the change. He was shedding so bad, it was messy and itchy and it had to go. He had a good time with his buddy Mike taking it off bit by bit, from one wild style to another till finally just cutting it all off! I'll have to post a photo or two... Tonight he also got to get out and stroll the empty hallways (with a mask on) and get some exercise going up the stairs for the second time. It's like escaping, and fun to do! :) I believe in the power of prayer and am thankful for Heavenly Father's constant love and blessings in our lives.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

October 20, 2012

It was a beautiful day today. Brian feels good and is eating well. Hair is shedding a lot. But still there. No change in cell counts, they say it will be a while before they come up. So, I'm just thankful he's doing well.

Friday, October 19, 2012

October 19, 2012
So, here we are. Progressing nicely and hoping it continues to go smoothly. Today Brian is adjusting to the fact that he is losing his hair. Not that he's a "high maintenance" kind of a guy. ha ha. But I suppose he is worried about how he will look. We're trying to assure him it's not a big deal, but I suppose it's easier when you aren't the one losing your hair! I am even wondering if it's psychologically like when you lose something more permanently, even though for him it won't be. I reminded him of our friends Shay and Lane, and how they pulled through it. He's got a couple beanies already and his ball cap from home. He'll be fine. It's just a hard reality check. You can't tell he's lost any yet, it's just shedding a lot. He wants to just cut it off and keep from getting hair all over his pillow! I reminded him of all the people who are pulling for him... and now he's napping. Probably needs that nap.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

October 18, 2012

Today Brian had a great day. Like not even being sick. It was a pretty day up here, and the cool night brought out brilliant fall colors in many trees in Salt Lake. What a pretty day.
We have decided to try and limit visitors to see Brian, because basically one of the biggest threats to his life at this time is that somehow he contracts some illness- a flu, a cold bug, a virus or some other illness. Getting something at this time with such limited immunity could be devastating. We would prefer visits only by immediate family, so if people would like to do something for Brian, do him a favor and send a note, facebook, phone call, text, Facetime or Skype. It is difficult to say "don't come", but this is a way you can help him. I've heard too many stories up here of what happens and we want to protect him from a frightening detour to the ICU. Thanks for understanding and supporting us in this effort. I hope that the word gets around. We appreciate greatly all the love and support of everyone. You all have been so great!

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

October 17, 2012
Yesterday was a pretty good day. Visited with friends and seemed happy as can be. Back bothered him from yesterday's LP(spinal) but not till afternoon. Slept well with meds... feeling OK and sleeping more this morning. So far so good. One more day and the white blood cell count should start coming back up. It takes 3 days after chemo for the chemo to clear out of the body and then the blood cell counts start to come back up. Yesterday's excellent news was that the results from the 3rd LP came and the spinal fluid is clear for the 2 nd time and there are no leukemia cells there any more. :)

Monday, October 15, 2012

October 15, 2012
Today was overall a good day for Brian. He's feeling better and he's finished with the 1st round of chemo. Now the wait for the cell counts to come up. When the white blood cells reach 500, he will be able to go home. Then he will get to wait until they get to 1000, and back to the hospital for another round. He'll be homebound because of the low immune system, but I am sure he'll be glad to get a break! Tonight, he has played video games, ate a good dinner topped off with a milkshake (yeah, they are after him to gain weight back), talking with friends over the computer and playing guitar. They're pumping him full of water (of some kind) but that doesn't bother him. It's so nice when he feels good. :)

This is the finished quilt made by Sariah Mortensen and has all the quilt pieces that people bought for a donation to support Brian through his fight to beat leukemia. The wonderful part is that the squares have messages written to Brian from the many people who did this. It's so cool, he can look down and read all these messages of love and encouragement. Thanks to Sariah, Kevin Mortensen and all the bro's that helped.

Brian slept well last night and no fever this morning. One mouth sore - . But he ate really well this morning: eggs, sausage, hash browns, bisquit & gravy, orange juice and milk. He needs 3,000 calories per day to maintain. Didn't get that yesterday. We are trying to keep him eating and drinking lots, plus always keeping his mouth clean. One of the side effects of chemo are these mouth sores which can turn into problems so serious they end up in the intensive care. So one more chemo tonight and in the morning tomorrow and the first round will be done. Takes 3 days to rid the body of the chemo and then the cell counts can come back up. So, we are learning every day here. A couple more weeks and should get his first break from the hospital.
We went to the chapel in the hospital this morning for sacrament meeting and there was a wonderful spirit there. This is a branch is from a married student stake from the University of Utah. 35 couples serve in the hospital. Then, two brethren came by just now and brought him the sacrament. That was nice. Brian of course, cannot attend the meeting because of his depleated immune system.
We also learned today that the blood products they use here come from a company in the SL Valley called ARUP. Brian has B- blood. Blood platelets have been in short supply from negative blood, and they used the positive ones with another drug like the shot they give mothers with the RH factor, so they don't have problems. But those platelets didn't stay with him very well. The ones that match better stay with him longer. Interesting. So, the platelets only last 3 days after donation, so it looks like some in the family may be giving platelets and blood on their trips up, to help the supply even though there isn't a guarantee that he will get their's but it will help the supply. He's getting blood right now and smiling and visiting with friends about the whole thing. Of course, anyone can give blood or platelets. If it wasn't for donors, he would not live through the leukemia. Humbling.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

October 13, 2012

Just thought I'd tell you that can watch Brian on KSL tonight at 6:30 and 10:35. The Sports guys did a really nice story. Also, today was the 9th day of chemo, then tomorrow and off of it for a while. He's still doing well, and we found out on Friday night that he has the best kind of AML, that most...likely will not require a bone marrow transplant. He has responded well to chemo, but at the end of the 10 days of treatments, he seems more tired. Actually had me a bit worried earlier, but he came out of it. We just are praying for no complications; they're all too common and troublesome. Thanks to all the people who have done anything for us. We love you and you strengthen us!

Friday, October 12, 2012

October 12, 2012
Today was a bit of a recovery day. We had a big day yesterday, especially the latter half. We got good news at around 6pm, when Dr.Sato came in with a big smile on her face to announce to us that the test results came back from the bone marrow biopsy. The specific type of AML that Brian has is the best one to get - not usually requiring a bone marrow transplant. It can be treated with chemo. So we were glad to hear that. Then, with our new orange HHS Tiger t-shirts, we tuned into the game at home on a laptop. We had friends bring in Panda Express, and Brian ate pretty well. We got to see (but not hear it all) when they gave the banner and the helmets to Randy for Brian. Wow. Very awesome. Then we watched the game. A headache took over for Brian about half way through, but he managed to watch clear to the finish. It was an incredible game, and we know the boys gave it all they had. I thought it was interesting when he said that the team will do well if they don't fight. So, I hope they stay united, and work together to get better every day. We are taking it here one day at a time. There was a segment on Brian today on KSL Sports on TV. It was really nice. It will be on tomorrow again at 6:30pm and 10:35pm, if there aren't any changes. Thank you Rod Zundel.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Oct. 11, 2012 10:30a.m.

Brian had a pretty good night. Upset stomach this morning but restling well now. No fever for 48 hours. Another spinal today, then the afternoon should be nice. We'll put on our orange shirts and try to get the game online tonight! We loved the orange shirts, they turned out so neat. Nurse liked them too. Thanks everybody. You're the best friends ever.

O.K. This is Brian's mom here. It's high time I started checking in with reports on Brian. His sister, Charlotte, created this blog for us so we could communicate with the many who are concerned and want to know how Brian is doing.
So, hi everyone. Thank you for all your prayers, fasting, and love you have sent our way. It is totally amazing and overwhelming to try to fathom what is happening to Brian and what is taking place at home in So. Utah and Hurricane in behalf of Brian and our family. We feel so loved and it is such a wonderful thing. The entire last week has been somewhat surreal. I wanted to pinch myself and wake up.
Tuesday, Oct. 2, Dr. Carter called us in to tell us he had consulted with specialists in St. George, and Brian had Leukemia. We needed to get him to Salt Lake as soon as possible, although we could drive him up. We called his Dad (Randy) from work and managed to check in to the Huntsman Cancer Center by 7:30p.m. They wasted no time in beginning testing and treatment. The next day they recommended he be transferred to Primary Children's Medical Center because it would be better for him here. They're doing a clinical study here with a 4th chemo drug which has been shown to have even better results than the regular 3 drugs. We got lucky when the computer chose Brian to be one of the patients who would recieve the drug, as opposed to one in the control group. I think that was really an answer to so many prayers. So here we are.
Since that night, he has had platelets and blood transfusions many times. It gives a whole new meaning to Red Cross blood drives. I look at them hanging on the IV tree and think if it wasn't for those donations, he would be gone.
Today he is on the 6th (of 10) night of chemo. They do it at night, the idea being that people will sleep through some of the discomfort. The first couple nights were tough, with fevers, nausea, headache and pain from various things. Brian has stayed calm and patient through it all. If I hear a little groan, I know he's hurting. The good news is that since he has been recieving chemo, things are much better because the Leukemia cells are much less. His body also has no white cells for defense.
Perhaps you are thinking you didn't want to know all of this...so sorry about that. I'm going to make this a journal of sorts as well. I don't plan on putting out anything that is too personal.
So tonight he is doing well, I am happy to report. If you looked at him, tonight, you wouldn't know he was sick. He's had some platelets and a couple units of blood and he's texting friends and playing video games. He's had visitors today and honestly, the nurses are young and cute tonight. He just rolls with it all, keeping to his activities. I hope tonight is a good night. It should be. Now that the doctors and nurses have fine-tuned the medicines & chemo he has been sleeping well and much more comfortably. So I have less worry, and I just pray there won't be any unexpected problems arise, and that we can continue to stay the course.
There will be 4 courses of treatment consisting of 10 days of chemo, followed by 2 to 3 weeks of cell count recovery. That's when you wait for the numbers to come up in the blood tests. When they reach a certain level, he will be able to go home for a day or two, to maybe 3 weeks, when the white cell count gets high again. Then it's back in the hospital for roughly another month to repeat the same process. Over all, there will be 4 courses, with an estimated 6 months duration, if everything goes well, This is the plan. Time will tell. We pray that everything will go well.

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December 8, 2013

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Play time, finally. Sept. 19,2013

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Brian at Coral Pink Sand Dunes September 2013, getting ready for fun.

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20th Birthday

Our sincere thanks go to the Lemmon Team (ERA Brokers Consolidated): Jim, Rand, Nancy & Ryan for generously putting together the super movie fundraiser, Skyfall, and to the many who supported it on November 10th to help pay for medical expenses!

St. George Events presented Brian with a large check from a dance held in Washington City in October. Thank you Abraham Thiombiano and friends!

Jannica Johnson, 9 years old from Toquerville, came up with the idea to have a bake sale to help with Brian's medical costs. So she did it last Saturday! Pictured here are (L-R): Jannica, Raelee and Bryce Johnson, her sister and brother. Ryan and Laycee Johnson are their parents. The bake sale was a success! Thank you, Jannica!!

This is a sign that the football team held up during the dance concert for Brian.

New look.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill